The team around the child (TOD) – as a tool for preventing traumatic memories of a child with a medical disadvantage and his family system.

Přemysl Mikoláš

The aim of my communication is to formulate the possibilities of care and support for the family of a child with a medical disadvantage through the Team around the child. In other words, metaphorically: “SEE the possible Trauma around the child”.

Because:

• Persons with physical disabilities or sensory disabilities and especially persons with mental handicaps or with combined disabilities are exposed to a significantly higher risk of becoming victims of traumatic events than persons without disabilities.

• A person with a disability is often affected by trauma during their childhood and adolescence.

• Traumatized persons with combined disabilities benefit primarily from an environment that will offer positive and safe relationships. We can only use classical procedures for the treatment of trauma very rarely.

In my presentation, I will describe the use of this essential tool to ensure the psychological safety of the family of a child with a medical disadvantage.

The team around the child is the key to building trust and a confidential relationship between the family and people who enter a specific family system through a medical disadvantage.

Based on my personal, repeated experiences, as a direct participant of the Team around the child at the EDUCO Zlín Early Childhood Intervention Center, I think that this tool is an essential part of the psychological relief and psychological growth of all involved.